Brett's my Husband.

Photo Courtesy of Jwillowe Creative.

Iowa born. Texas grown and raised. Brett Stine is a small town Texas kid. But don't let his upbringing fool you, he has traveled the world far and wide from Japan to Nepal to Europe to Portland, Oregon. Adventure is his muse.

Find him at the coffee shop learning a foreign language or two -- or seven. Find him on his bicycle or at the local university library... or any library for that matter. Find him working on one of the bazillion doctorate degrees he wants to have. Find him at the local chuck-e-cheese or teaching college students how to study the Bible. Find him, and he will try to convince you that Hot Rod is the best movie ever made and that your feet don't know shoes until they've worn Chacos.

I call him Babuh-Flave.

OUR [ENGAGEMENT] STORY

After an adventurous and romantic friendship my devastatingly handsome He Friend decided to ask me to marry him. I kept wondering how he'd ask me when I got back from New York (my bestie and I had left for a week in the big apple to celebrate our graduation)... but alas, he surprised me at my favorite coffee shop in Brooklyn on a sunny Saturday

My bestie, because she knows how much look'n classy means to me, made sure I dressed pretty that day. The inward romantic and slightly vain Me has cared for years and years about what I'd look like when it'd finally happen, and, thanks to my bestie, I had on a revived polka-dot blouse tucked in to a high-waisted skirt. It was the ONLY good hair day I had while in Brooklyn. I even had make-up on. Hallelujah. My biggest fear for the past two months was getting asked right after I'd worked out in the 95 degree Texas weather. I still would have said "yes" as a sweaty mess, but I'd have had to dress all cute the whole month after to make up for it.

We had stopped in for some joe at Qathra, my favorite coffee shop in Brooklyn (where I had previously evaluated and prayed over my relationship with my Mr. a year before). We took our seats in the back garden, and, after a few minutes, I looked up to see that my man was bringing me the cupcake I had ordered, with a pretty ring sitting next to it. MY MISTER! Walking towards me. And I knew he was only there for one reason. I'm not sure if color drained from my face or flooded it, but inwardly I felt a surge of relief, love, and divine peace. Apparently I went my extroverted personality started babbling craziness, but I honestly can't remember. I was overwhelmed with joy to see him. And after I said yes, he asked me to marry him (I know, it's my fault it went out of order.... adrenaline made me do it), and I didn't stop smiling at him the entire night. When you say a forever yes to the person you love the most, you want nothing to part your hand from theirs for at least 24 hours. I think I'm still clinging to him with stars in my eyes and we've been married almost two years.

WORDS WE BASE OUR MARRIAGE [AND LIVES] ON

4 Remain united to me, and I will remain united to you. A branch cannot bear fruit by itself; it can do so only if it remains in the vine. In the same way you cannot bear fruit unless you remain in me.

5 “I am the vine, and you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will bear much fruit; for you can do nothing without me. 6 Those who do not remain in me are thrown out like a branch and dry up; such branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire, where they are burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, then you will ask for anything you wish, and you shall have it. 8 My Father's glory is shown by your bearing much fruit; and in this way you become my disciples. 9 I love you just as the Father loves me; remain in my love. 10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love.

11 “I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.12 My commandment is this: love one another, just as I love you. 13 The greatest love you can have for your friends is to give your life for them.

JOHN 15

ENGAGMENT VIDEO

HUSBAND DISCLAIMER

We were unsure what getting married right out of our long distance relationship would look like. But I can say now, that I am daily amazed at how beyond wonderful Brett Stine is. I tell everyone that Brett is more amazing than I knew. He is SO gentle with me, SO forgiving, and SO loyal. He has worked SO hard to communicate well with me and hear me out. There are things about him I didn't know were so wonderful until we got married. Which makes me really just want to get married again so everyone, including myself, can be even more excited we are spending our lives together. I also run everything I write about him on here by him first, out of respect. Also, because he's a good editor.